This Sunday I'll be exploring some basic elements of Saddleback Community Church in Southern California set alongside some pieces of my story. I spent time at Saddleback, talked with their leaders, and attended a training or two on that campus. They are crystal clear about who they are, what their call is, and how to respond to it. Over these past few months I've talked at length about what it means to be neighbor, been specific about who our neighbors are, and even what we can do to learn from a neighbor, the library. Then last Sunday we heard Lea, Melinda, Jason and Joe share small pieces of their stories. They inspired us. So this Sunday I'll tell a bit of my story again and why Jesus continues to be the absolute center of my life. Certainly there are times of struggle with that, yet Jesus Christ is a great part of what we have to receive and offer, whether it be in our souls, our lives, or our actions. And what better day to talk about what keeps us faith-filled in times like this than talking about this on the day before Halloween. Yup, these are scary times but we have response. To prepare, please read II Corinthians 4:7 - 18.

Ministry News

Prayer Workshop

November 5

Please join us for a Lectio Divina workshop on Saturday, November 5th from 10:00am to Noon. You'll be introduced to the ancient Christian practice of praying the Scriptures. Our presenter is Jeff Renner with Contemplative Outreach of Puget Sound North (COPSN). The suggested donation is $15.00 per person. Make checks payable to AUMC and note 'Lectio Divina' on the memo line. These will be used to make a freewill donation to COPSN. Sign up on the Sunday attendance form or email your name and contact information to Sabrina MacIntyre(425-793-4490).

All Saints' Sunday

November 6

On Sunday, November 6 at both services we will remember and honor all the people we have loved and released to God through death in the hope of new life. We invite you who have lost loved ones since last All Saints' Sunday (November 1, 2015) to fill out the Sunday attendance form (or contact the church office) with your loved one's name and relationship to you. These names will be spoken, a candle lit for each one, and we will give thanks for them and pray for all of us as we continue to work through our grief and seek renewed confidence and peace in the promises of Christ Jesus.

Aldersgate Prayer Vigil

November 7 (7:00am to 7:00pm)

Given the highly divisive nature of this year's election cycle, we have felt called to put prayer into action by helping coordinate a 12-hour, non-partisan, interdenominational prayer vigil in the hours leading up to Election Day. As Christians, we are called to pray for everyone; this includes current leaders, candidates, voters and our nation as a whole. Please consider joining us any time from 7:00am to 7:00pm on November 7th. For more contact Julie Flahiff, Joe Lee, Jean Harris or Sabrina MacIntyre.

What's Your Vision?

Joe Lee is the new chairman of the Aldersgate Core Leadership team, the governing council at Aldersgate. He is interested in hearing your vision for Aldersgate. He is available to speak with you during the Prayer Vigil on Monday Nov. 7 between 7:00am-7:00pm. Just stop by and share your thoughts with Joe.

Work Party Update

Thank you to everyone who volunteered for the church work party last weekend. There were 15 people who came to rake and weed the flower beds, prune tree branches, erect a sign and clear a drain. What a great turnout! So much was accomplished in just a few hours. The church grounds look wonderful. We thank you all for your hard work and provided the special treats of coffee, cookies and donuts.

Meaningful Movies

Tuesday, November 15

The next Meaningfull Movies on the Eastside is Tuesday November 15th, at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church (4228 Factoria Blvd. SE, Bellevue) from 6:30-8:30pm. The film is "FIX IT - Healthcare at the Tipping Point."
The film was two years in the making, with more than forty voices advocating for reform, including: activists, health policy experts, economists, physicians, nurses, patients, business and labor leaders. This documentary takes an in-depth look into how our dysfunctional health care system is damaging our economy, suffocating our businesses, discouraging physicians and negatively impacting on the nation's health, while remaining un-affordable for a third of our citizens.

Preschool News

The preschool is off to a great start. We have 170 children attending class and 20 teachers and aides teaching and caring for them. Preschool families come from around the world: Austrailia, China, Great Britain, India, Japan, Korea, Spain, just to name a few, and live in Bellevue, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Renton, Redmond and Sammamish. Click Here to read the latest preschool newsletter.

Fun Events

Fall Festival

October 28, 5:30-8:30pm

Come join the fun! The night will be filled with carnival games, chili & hot dog dinner, costume parade and more! You will not want to miss this evening of fun and fellowship! We need lots of help to make the Fall Festival a success. Please sign up on Sunday's attendance form or contact Jen Hoerber ASAP if you can help with any of the following:

***Prepping and cooking food on Thursday afternoon 10/27.

***Set up the morning or afternoon on Friday 10/28

***Run games Friday evening

***Help in the kitchen Friday evening

***Help with cleanup after the Festival

***Provide sugar cookies (need 8 dozen) for cookie decorating

Harvest Dinner

November 13 @ 5:30pm

Save Sunday, November 13 for the Annual Harvest Dinner which starts at 5:30pm in Friendship Hall. This is a Thanksgiving dinner, "Aldersgate style." All the traditional foods will be there PLUS what you supply as side dishes, salads and desserts. If your last name begins with A-E, bring a dessert, F-M - vegetable/side dish, N-Z - salad. Tickets are on sale on Sundays, October 30-November 13. after both worship services. Cost is $5 per person (max $18 for immediate family). Many people are needed to make this event a success. We need ticket sellers, decorators, kitchen helpers, food servers, etc. Please sign up on Sunday's attendance form.

George Fox Players come to Aldersgate

November 20th at 5:00pm

Come see our very own Cora Beeman and the George Fox Players, a drama group from George Fox University, on the evening of November 20th at 5:00pm. The performers will be exploring the theme "Ready or Not," with a series of stories where life comes pouring in and they realize they are not in control. The performances are all based off of original scripts created by the students and the director. The production will start at 5:00pm and run about an hour. There will be hearty appetizers available afterwards and a brief time for fellowship and discussion. Please feel free to bring an appetizer to share.

Youth Group (6th-12th Grade)

Youth Group meets on Sunday evenings from 6:00-7:300pm. All youth from 6th-12th grade are welcome. If you have any questions about the youth program, contact Pastor Brad or
Jen Hoerber. Here are some upcoming events:

*Nov. 20 - George Fox Players at 5pm followed by snacks and Youth Group from 6:30-7:30pm.

Club 345 (3rd, 4th, 5th Grade)

This fellowship group for kids in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade meets once a month, usually on the second Sunday. It starts with dinner at 5:00pm, followed by games, crafts and other fun activities from 6:00-7:30pm.
The next Club 345 is December 11. There is no meeting in November due to the ALL church Harvest Dinner on November 13.

Outreach & Missions

Opportunity to Serve

At our last Common Table meeting it was apparent that many people had the desire to help the homeless. So here is an opportunity for you to help provide meals for three emergency shelters. CLICK HERE to sign up to provide meals to the 3 Emergency Shelters - Mens, Womens and Families. The shelters are located in Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland. In fact, the Women's emergency shelter will be at Holy Cross Church Lutheran just down the street on Newport Way from January 3rd to March 31st.

Rummage Sale Recap

Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the RUMMAGE SALE! The BIG winter storm tried to defeat us, but it did not succeed! This year we had tons of donations, and were open for two days. The bad weather caused us to have fewer buyers but we didn't let that stop us. It was terrific. Many hands make light work and it took many hands to make signs and put them up and down, set-up, organize, sort, price, cashier, clean-up, put tables away, and haul things away. The time and energy of each person was greatly appreciated. And thank you also to everyone who donated items to sell and who made purchases. It all added up to $2,400 for our mission travel fund.

A special THANKS to every one who helped deliver all our left over "goodies" to other charities. We were able to find "good homes" for our extra items at: The Baby Corner, Sophia Way, Mary's Place, the Women's Emergency Shelter, the YWCA "Dress for Success" Business Clothing Bank; The King County Library System and Friends of the Library; Jubilee Reach, Habitat, and Goodwill.

Many pe
ople from our neighborhood attended the sale and had very positive comments. One of my favorites was the fellow who bought the pile of hoses. He said his wife had sent him over because she had been to the sale and "everyone was so nice to her". Thank you for making his day and mine too!

Your Donation Is Tax Deductible

If you donated items to the rummage sale, your contribution is tax deductible.Click Herefor a donation substantiation letter. Please keep this letter with your tax records. The IRS requires a written acknowledgement of non-cash gifts when you claim the tax deduction on your income tax return.

Submit prayer requests to Dorothy Bennett, the Prayer Chain Coordinator, or fill out a pew prayer card or contact the church office. Prayer requests will stay on the Prayer Chain for about 3 weeks. Please contact Dorothy or the church office with an update if you want the request to be prayed for longer.

All prayer requests will appear in the church newsletters unless you specifically request otherwise.